More than 5,800 children from across the country have been involved in Dreamflight holidays since the first trip in 1987, with the charity needing to raise around £500,000 each year to fund the experience.

For many, it has been their first time abroad and also gives them a chance to have a holiday without their family.

The young passengers are accompanied by nearly 100 doctors, nurses and physiotherapists throughout the trip.

An army of volunteers, including Darth Vader, his Stormtroopers, the Air Cadet National Marching Band and British Airways' cabin crew and pilots were at Heathrow to see the children board the Boeing 747.

British Airways captain, Andy Raynes, who will be one of the chaperones for the trip, added: "I'm incredibly excited for my ninth Dreamflight trip.

"It's a huge honour to work with the team and seeing the reaction of the children at the departure and throughout their trip will be incredibly rewarding.

"Each year it's astounding to see how their confidence grows as the trip progresses.

"It'll be a magical experience that I'm sure the children won't forget."